Fantasy Basketball Mid-Week Streamers: Week 6

Mike Barner looks at some mid-week waiver wire options for fantasy basketball leagues. These players may be free agents to target on waivers in Week 6.

The NBA brings a packed schedule for the rest of the week. All but five teams will play two games each, leaving us with a considering amount of viable streaming options.

We’ve actually received some positive news on the injury front lately. Players who have recently returned from injuries include Donovan Mitchell, CJ McCollum and Walker Kessler. On the negative side of things, fantasy managers who drafted LaMelo Ball (ankle) are expected to be without him for multiple weeks.

Let’s look at the remaining schedules for each team and discuss some players to consider streaming. For those in daily lineup leagues, streaming players with favorable schedules can be key to having a winning week. However, be sure to be aware of your league rules. If you have a games played cap for the week, then streaming too much might not be ideal. All roster percentages used in this article are from Yahoo.

Weekly Schedule: Thursday to Sunday

Teams that play only game (AVOID): Boston, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Toronto, Washington

Teams that play two games (TARGET): Atlanta, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Portland, Utah

Teams that play back-to-back (TARGET): Dallas, Denver, Memphis, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio

Shallow League Streaming Options

Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF (50%)

Injuries didn’t afford the Heat with an opportunity to ease their rookie Jaquez into action this season. However, that hasn’t been a problem for him. With Jaquez averaging 32 minutes over the last 10 games, he has averaged 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.7 three-pointers. Tyler Herro (ankle) won’t be back until next week at the earliest, meaning Jaquez should remain in a prominent role for the Heat’s final two games of the week.

Saddiq Bey, SF/PF (49%)

Jalen Johnson (wrist) going down has opened up a starting spot for Bey. He produced seven points and eight rebounds over 29 minutes versus the Celtics, then had 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two three-pointers over 32 minutes versus the Cavaliers. A big improvement for him this season has been him shooting 49.7 percent from the field. Combine his new role with his three-point shooting prowess and Bey makes for an excellent streamer.

Dereck Lively II, C (42%)

Lively only missed one game with his back injury before returning Tuesday versus the Rockets. He played 28 minutes in a starting role, producing eight points, five rebounds and two blocks. While the rookie doesn’t always log a ton of minutes, he is still averaging 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game for the season, while shooting a robust 71.1 percent from the field. Two more games upcoming makes him an excellent target for those who need a center.

Malik Beasley, SG/SF (40%)

The Bucks are set to play at least one of their final two games of the week without Pat Connaughton (ankle), who has been ruled out for Thursday’s matchup with the Bulls. He has been one of their key reserves, logging 23 minutes per game. That means the Bucks could rely even more on Beasley, who has played 28 minutes per game for the season. The reason to stream Beasley is his shooting prowess from behind the arc. He is averaging 2.7 three-pointers per game this season and has averaged at least that many in each of the previous three seasons, as well.

Deep Leagues Streaming Options

Goga Bitadze, C (32%)

Wendell Carter Jr. (finger) is on the mend, having his cast removed earlier in the week. However, he has been sidelined for nearly a month, so he’ll likely need some practice time to work his way back into shape. That could mean Bitadze remains in a starting role for the Magic’s two remaining games of the week. As a starter, Bitadze has averaged 8.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.8 blocks over 13 games.

Isaiah Joe, PG/SG (18%)

For fantasy managers who play in deeper leagues and can’t add Beasley for a boost in three-pointers, be sure to target Joe with the Thunder playing two more games. After he shot 40.9 percent from behind the arc last season, he is shooting 47.1 percent this season. That has enabled him to average 2.8 three-pointers per game. He has hit at least two-three points in 13 of 17 games.

Caleb Martin, SG/SF (14%)

After he performed so well in the playoffs last season, it was tough for the Heat to begin this season with Martin sidelined because of injury. He has slowly worked his way back into action, logging at least 26 minutes in three of the last four games. In those three games, he averaged 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 three-pointers. He averaged 29 minutes per game last season, and should be a prominent member of the Heat’s bench moving forward.

Brandin Podziemski, SG (2%)

The Warriors are going to be thin at guard moving forward. Gary Payton II recently tore his right calf, which will sideline him indefinitely. Chris Paul also left Tuesday’s game against the Kings early with lower leg soreness, which is a concern given his history of injuries. He has already been ruled out for Thursday’s matchup with the Clippers. Podziemski has shown flashes of promise this season, including a game against the Timberwolves in which he scored 23 points over 39 minutes. For those in very deep leagues, adding Podziemski for the Warriors’ final two games could pay off.

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